Archery in Cameroon

Archery has so many different styles and many of those styles can be found in wide variety in Africa, with many regions having their own distinctive brand of archery. Below are some samples just from Cameroon, a wartorn region under threat from Boko Haram (an extremist group similar to ISIS which threatens Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad).

Due to the threat from Boko Haram, some locals in Cameroon have taken to protecting themselves with archery equipment.

Archery in Cameroon

Archery in Cameroon

Cameroon has a long history of archery. It is depicted within government symbols of power, on their stamps, as cultural icons, and local sayings and proverbs. It permeates their culture.

Archery competitions and events also display the skill of local Cameroon archers.

And send their local archers to the Rio Olympics.

Bowhunting is also quite common in Cameroon, but unfortunately that is often the result of white archers coming over from the United States and other countries, hoping for some big game hunting.

Because nothing tells the world that Americans have tiny packages more easily than going over to Africa to kill endangered animals.

Here is a thought. Why not go to Cameroon, but instead of being a prick and killing endangered animals, why not be nice and just socialize with the local archers instead? Learn more about their culture. Maybe buy a bow or a set of arrows made by a local Cameroon bowyer/fletcher. Learn more about local archery practices that go back millenia.

And then post photos of it and set a good example of what it is like to be an archery tourist as opposed to an endangered animal murdering bowhunter. Show that it is possible to travel the world, have fun, and not kill things during your travels.

Like this post? Leave a comment below and perhaps I will write similar posts about Nigerian archery, South African archery, Zimbabwe archery, and more!